Minor Transactions: 09/09/19

Training camp is upon us, as rookie tournaments are underway and veterans are arriving back in town for informal workouts. In no time, teams will be back on the ice. Yet, many NHL clubs still have work to do, with prominent restricted and unrestricted free agents still without contracts. Minor league affiliates, European teams, and college programs are also still making moves to finalize their plans for the coming season. Keep track of those minor transactions right here:

• P.K. Subban is one of the NHL’s brightest stars and Malcolm Subban continues to fight for recognition as an NHL backup. Little brother Jordan Subban has not had the same luck in his pro career. The 24-year-old defenseman played on an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies last season after the Vancouver Canucks declined to extend him a qualifying offer last season. After a so-so season in the minors, the NHL interest was again missing this summer and now Subban has opted to take his talents overseas. Dornbirner EC of the Austrian EBEL has announced a one-year deal with the young defender. Subban stands a good chance of being the best player on his new team, but even a dominant season in Austria won’t be enough to convince NHL teams that the 2013 fourth-round pick is any more than a famous last name. Subban is just beginning a long road back to relevance.
• Tobias Lindberg is another former NHL prospect having a hard time in his professional development. A fellow 2013 fourth-rounder, the 24-year-old forward is most well known for having been traded five times since February 2016. Unlike Subban, he’s also seen NHL action, skating in six games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015-16. However, since then he has been relegated to an AHL role and has not been overly productive. Lindberg recorded just 16 points in 61 total games split between three teams last season. Looking to restore his value and find a consistent place to play, Lindberg was expected to skate with IK Oskarshamn of the SHL this upcoming season. However, things went from bad to worse for the struggling prospect today, as the team announced that his contract had been terminated. While the press release was meant to make it seem like an amicable breakup, the club stated that Lindberg did not show the potential that they had hoped for and he, in turn, did not feel he could get the ice time he needed in Oskarshamn. It’s unclear now where Lindberg goes from here in his pursuit of a fresh start.